[sono]

I am dismayed that the US military, at this late date, has not seen fit to employ something akin to this. If we can track stolen cars or locate cellphone calls, why can't we not track our brave young men?

[sono]

For those who don't have access - here's the short blurb from the Times about personal locators When Location Is Everything

The demand for personal locators is getting stronger. Companies have responded with an array of tracking devices.

WHERIFY PERSONAL LOCATOR FOR CHILDREN Wristwatch-based locator, available in blue or purple, for children ages 4 to 12 (and wrists 4½ to 6 inches). Whereabouts are monitored by logging into a password-protected Web site or by calling the Wherify call center. Can also receive pages. Cost: $400 for the device, plus a monthly service fee starting at $24.95. A charger ($15 to $20) and security fob ($25) are also required. More information is available at www.wherifywireless.com.

POWERED BY POMALS BLACKBERRY G.P.S.-enabled sleeve fits around palmtops and tracks location. When the BlackBerry contacts the Pomals monitoring station, it can request location-specific information and services and display a map showing the user's position. Cost: $129 for the sleeve, plus a $15 monthly service fee. Information: www.pomals.com.

NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC URBAN TRACKER IIK CHILD LOCATOR BACKPACK Battery-powered G.P.S. tracking system hidden in a rugged, child-size book bag. Available in a variety of colors. Location can be tracked through a password-protected Web site; no call center service. Includes an emergency call button. Software allows parents to establish a virtual fence, sending an alert if the child strays beyond authorized areas while wearing the pack. Cost: $695, including the first 240 location checks. Additional bundles of 240 checks are $35. Information: www.nsclocators.com.

DIGITAL ANGEL PERSONAL SAFETY AND LOCATION SYSTEM For people with health conditions or mental impairments. Pager-size, clip-on G.P.S. monitoring unit includes an emergency call button. Location information can be obtained through a password-protected Web site or by calling a Digital Angel call center. Monitor unit automatically sends alerts, by e-mail or phone, if the wearer wanders beyond a preset boundary. Alerts are also sent if the wearer falls down and remains prone for longer than a minute. System includes a thermal sensor watch. Cost: $399, plus a $29.95 monthly service fee. Information: www.digitalangel.net.